Chapter Twenty-Six

The injured troops and guards sat at the side of the room as some cause members aided them. I believe they're trained medics. We gathered in front of the other vault door. The leader keyed in a passcode on the reader. The door opened. Inside was a breathtaking view. I was expecting like our base back at Warhem. But this was way much better. Hopeful atmosphere filled the air. This base is so huge. It's not just one level, but there are escalators and lifts that reach two floors down. And everywhere we go, there are plantations to give fresh air and keep a pleasant view. There's not only one type of bays or units but so many different shapes and designs. There are multi-story houses. The ceiling stretches high up, so there are even apartments. I don't understand the technology they were speaking about. But from what I understand, we are not underground. We might be in mid air, somewhere in the centre level of the tower below the palace. But because of the advance technology, we are not in the same dimension as the city. I can't explain more. I don't even understand much. An expert on this would be helpful. Anyways, everyone was wearing their own casual outfit. No jumpsuits. Speaking of which, we were still in ours.

'You guys really love the twenty-first century stuffs' Anton said, amused.

'We love whatever that's from the twenty-first century and all centuries before that' the leader replied.

'Wow' Anton replied sarcastically.

'We are in the twenty-fourth century and you're talking about three hundred years ago?' he said.

'I know you know that humanity came to its worst upon nearing the twenty-second century' the leader said.

I didn't stick to their conversation much longer. I went to Mr Sky to catch up with him.

'It's nice to see you again Mr Sky' I said. Finally feeling safer. He's like a family member to me now. Because aside from his family and Orion's, everyone else is a complete stranger. I felt relieved to have seen him.

'Hey Zac!' he was equally excited. He looked behind to see the other kids. I guess he was looking for Zayne. He turned back to me once he saw him.

'How are you?' he asked.

We were walking down the stairs to the level below. Everyone else were just walking peacefully, smiling. But their expression changed when they saw Anton. Confused and curious. So back to the question.

'Oh I'm great. Aside from the fact that we have no idea if our parents are still alive or that I was punched hard on the face by that old brat'

Mr Sky smiled.

'Yes, he's an old brat. I don't trust he's gonna keep this peace long. He's just surrounded that's why. At least he's better than his father' Mr Sky said.

'I'm very sorry to hear about your parents. There are so many spies and triple agents from both sides'

'Back at one of the government's trick places, there's a lady name Atira. She talked about humans being enhanced. She's one of them. She could read my mind!'

Mr Sky thought for a moment about what I just said.

'There's not a technology I've heard about that can grant people powers. If there is, all our leaders would surely have gotten themselves powered up' he laughed at the last part.

'Perhaps, it's just a coincidence she guessed what you're thinking right. Or another possibility, is that she's among those people born with amazing gifts'

I nodded.

'I understand. I'm just curious and very confused'

'Hey Zayne' Mr Sky turned behind. Zayne caught up with him. And they talked. I continued looking around. So many things to describe. Like how we are walking on a bridge connecting one part of a building to the other. Water flows out of openings below the bridge down to the level below. The only thing missing were animals. It's not like animals exist naturally on Dust. Our ancestors brought them all the way from Earth. But definitely no dangerous wild animals. Just domestic ones. But there's not a single pet to be found in the base.

I watched my friends. Fayre was chatting with Orion. Dane was walking timidly beside him. I used to walk nervously in front of Fayre. But that crush was long gone I guess. I accepted her as my friend. And we're getting pretty close. From my perspective of course. My thoughts fell on Draven. I wonder what's happening with him. Surely he's experiencing much worse than us. We managed to have peace, maybe for a short while. But still, better than nothing.

We stepped onto the platform of the opposite building and stopped in front of a big quarter-shaped double-door. Someone opened them. We walked into a sort of an auditorium. A very classy auditorium, like those we saw on the award shows when celebrities went on stage to receive awards. But of course the ones on screen are more extravagant and expensive. Mrs Sky was one of the few who stood by the door. She shared a moment with Mr Sky. And I was also excited to see a familiar face standing near her. Norman has a wide happy smile on his face. I immediately ran to hug him. Okay, yes I'm putting my hates for hugs aside. Come on, don't you hug someone you love? Norman's a good friend. My best friend. So I'm gonna hug him all I want and no one's gonna stop me. He looks a bit different. I can't tell. I pulled back and get a good long look of him. His hair still straight and a little bit messy at the edges, bright skin, a bit muscular (do you know he loves working out with his dad). Then I noticed it. He's voice is breaking. No wonder I can't tell the first time. I told him to speak again. And I confirmed. He's growing up! He's younger than me by a few months, but he's maturing first. The others came to us while the adults proceeded to the stage at the end. Orion hugged him first.

'Everyone, I would like you to meet my best pal, Norman' I proudly announced.

Zayne was next to hug him. Norman said hi first then Zayne just went straight to the hugging. Fayre smiled. Norman paused for a moment when he saw Fayre. I guess all of us will be in dream mode the first time we saw Fayre. I couldn't help it, so I laughed a little. Fayre smiled wider and said hi. Norman replied.

'Fayre' she said, extending her hand.

Norman shook it.

'And this is Dane' I assisted Dane to stand in front of Norman. He was still not speaking or moving much. He was still pale. Norman was also curious to see him.

'He's special' I said. 'As what I was told'

'He has autism' a sudden girl voice spoke from behind. All of us turned to see. A girl as beautiful as Fayre, same age too I guess. The difference is she seems more confident than Fayre. The way she stood reminded me of Linda. Her right arm in akimbo. A boy was beside her. A cocky dark brown hair boy, arms folded. Okay I shouldn't judge, maybe he's not. But I'm gonna remember my first impression of him. Also, he's probably our age or older.

'And he's skin's naturally like that' he said.

We all were still quiet.

'Hey guys' Norman said. Apparently, Norman knows them already. 'These are my best friends'

Their standing position still remains. I mustn't judge but my mind couldn't help but kept thinking about how arrogant they are.

'Sorry to startle you like that. We should have introduced ourselves first' the girl said.

Okay, the girl's less arrogant. She walked closer to us.

'Tazanna Williams' she said, extending her hand. I returned the greeting.

'So you're Zac' the boy said. 'Michael. Michael Shane'

'Am I famous here or something?' I asked.

'We received word from Warhem base and you're among the names' Tazanna replied.

'So you knew Dane?' Fayre said.

'We know him' Michael said. 'So what's your name?'

Okay Michael's definitely cocky. He's probably thirteen. Given that he doesn't seem way older than us and that he's acting like an immature teenager.

'I tell you when I know you'

Fayre's comeback was burning. He didn't react to it though. He kept his cool. I was already laughing inside.

'Playing hard to get I see' Michael said. Oh geez! Michael knows how to play.

'Why? You think I'm interested in that?' Fayre replied, pointing at him.

Okay I can't hold it. Fayre returned him good. I laughed. Not good for a fresh introduction but no matter, just one person is not hard to handle. Even Tazanna giggled. That actually shut Michael up.

'Call me when we're ready to discuss about the group' Michael said and walked away, out of the auditorium.

'He's never been treated that way' Tazanna said.

'Then that's a good first time' Fayre said.

'So you're Tazanna Williams. Chief Willie's daughter?' I asked.

'No, her granddaughter actually. That's my father' she said, pointing to the man I referred to as the leader earlier. The adults were already seated at round tables all in front of the stage. They were getting ready for a meeting.

'I see' I replied.

'So you know Dane?'

'Yes, he's actually part of the undercover act' Tazanna said. 'Grandfather likes to put children in undercover acts. He believes they have a better impact on adults. Especially when someone is as special as Dane, he couldn't lie'

Tazanna placed her hand on Dane's head and ruffled his short red hair.

'Can he talk?' Orion asked.

'No, he can't. He's mute'

'How old is he?' Fayre asked.

'Ten'

'You?'

'Twelve'

Tazanna removed her hand from Dane's head.

'I hope Draven's alright'

'He's my brother do you know that?' Orion said.

'You're Orion Pierce?'

'I'm talking about my brother. You're endangering his life!' Orion was starting to get mad. Norman and I placed a hand on his shoulders to calm him down.

'I'm sorry, if you want to get mad, talk to my grandfather, not me. He's the one who ordered' Tazanna also sounded cross. 'Your brother knows what he's getting himself into when he agreed'

'Did Dane agreed?'

'He's my adopted brother!' Tazanna was getting annoyed. 'I wonder how Norman chooses his friends'

Tazanna stomped off to join the meeting.

'Well played Orion' Fayre said, walking away to join Tazanna.

'Dude, you scared the girls away' Norman said. This wasn't making Orion feel any better. I gave Norman a quick shook, hinting him to stop. But I guess it was too late.

'You don't know what I've been through! You still have loving parents to watch out for you. You don't see your own mother being murdered. Being shot on the head!' Orion burst.

'I'm sorry Orion. I didn't know' Norman said.

'Just go' Orion said, pushing him away. He placed his head on my shoulder and cried. I let him. I know he's sensitive, and I can be too, even though I dislike entertaining sensitive people. I signalled for Zayne to follow Norman who was reluctant to go at first. He brought Dane with him.

'Don't be mad Orion. We're here. Your friends are here for you. Norman didn't know. But now he does, he'll understand' I said, placing an arm over his shoulders.

We stayed this way for about a few minutes. Orion let his emotions out again. I wonder if he'll be like this again. I mean, I'm not being rude but I too lost my parents.

'Let's join them' I suggested. And we both walked towards the meeting. I stood beside Norman.

It seems like they had already started. But we didn't miss much.

'So everyone understood the importance of peace between our families?' Tazanna's dad said. He was standing in front of the stage, facing everyone. Most of them nodded their heads.

'How can you be sure that Jax won't betray us again?' someone asked. All eyes turned to Tazanna's dad.

'Now don't make yourselves sound innocent' Anton said, suddenly standing up from his seat and walked up to the leader's side.

'Both of our families thought that each of us betrayed each other'

'Don't flatter yourself Anton' a sudden voice spoke from behind. I recognised his face from the posters back at Warhem base. His face has a lot of similarity with his brother, Chief Brandon. I wondered again what happened with him. Chief Willie walked towards us, he was a little late for the meeting it seems. He stopped in front of Anton.

'Your family's greedy and mine simply stand for the truth' Chief Willie said, extending his hand to shake Anton. A little hesitant at first, but Anton shook it.

'We both were confused little children, now you too understand what we're standing for' Willie said.

'Our fathers fought a lot' Anton said.

'And that is just half of their lifetime. We never hear their stories back when they were best friends'

'I don't think it will be easy to convince my father'

'I don't think it will be easy too if mine is still alive'

I was happy for the reunion but I wasn't too interested to hear everything.

'How did you get here?' I asked Norman.

'After we heard about the attack at Warhem base, my grandmother evacuated everyone'. He then pointed to an old lady sitting wisely on one chair. 'That's my grandmother'

'Alright, I see the importance of our alliance' I suddenly heard Anton said. He took out his tabloid and texted something into it. Everyone was silent for a few moments. Anton's guards and the cause members, all paying attention to Anton's fingers. Tazanna's dad look over his shoulder to see what he's typing. That actually made Anton furious.

'Privacy matters'

'You're not calling them off aren't you? You're still siding with your father!' Tazanna's dad said. He drew his sword. Anton as fast as him, grabbed Willie firmly and pointed a gun at his head. Everyone else sprung into action as well. The guards stood up and pointed their guns anywhere, the members drew their swords.

'You seriously think I'm going to agree to a truce?' Anton said in a very mocking tone. 'You can persuade a child but not me, not any of the adults in my family'

Anton's evil glare was back. He kept the gun firmly on Willie's head.

'You shoot him I swear the whole lot of your family's going to pay' Tazanna's dad said.

'Oh you know I'm not going to shoot unless you strike first' Anton said, smirking. 'That's your family's biggest mistake, refusing weapons of this era and always favour those of the twenty-first century'

'Twentieth'

'Whatever! Now, James will be back with Linda and our army to wipe you all off Dustromedian's surface'

This was very tense. I could feel my heartbeat already beating fast again. When can we seriously get peace?! Everyone's faces were tense as well. Especially the women and children.

'Warn the troops and special forces, we have to defend the gates!' Tazanna's dad exclaimed. Some of the men placed their swords back by their side and ran to the door. Anton's guards turned their aims at them.

'Let them be. They won't make any difference' Anton said.

'You rat!' a lady shouted and struck with her sword at one of the guards. The guard fell to the ground in pain. I could see blood behind the dark uniform. The other guards started firing and everyone else rushed to find cover. It was very noisy and i could hear a lot of screams. I went to hide behind a row of podiums by the stage with Norman and Orion. I looked everywhere carefully for Zayne, Dane and the girls. But I could not see them above the chaos. Those who couldn't hide in time just fell down dead. And Mr Sky was one of them. I saw Norman's unbelievable expression. He was speechless. And so was I. Tazanna's dad was deflecting the bullets with his sword. And Anton however possible managed to bring Willie with him to the auditorium entrance. I couldn't bear watch any longer. My mind was running wild with thoughts about Zayne, about Fayre and about safety. That's when someone suddenly shouted the word "stop". I took a peek again. Norman and Orion too. The guards had stopped firing. Only two members were still standing with their swords. The other survivors are hiding somewhere. I looked at the dead bodies. Anton's guards and a bunch of members that I have not known yet, except Mr Sky. Then I noticed at the entrance. The person who had shouted and the reason why the guards stopped firing and pointed their guns at him. It was Michael. He had a knife in his hand, filled with blood. His hands were bloody too. Beside him was Chief Willie, his sword also was in his hand, he had just drew. But it was clean. I noticed Anton's dead body on the ground by Michael's side. His neck was bleeding very badly. Michael had stabbed him in the neck. Michael had killed him. I wonder how was that even possible given that he's not much taller than us.

'Your leader's dead, and you can't do something without a leader's command' Michael's voice sounded clearly throughout the whole auditorium.

'We still have a leader' one of the guards replied.

'But he isn't here' Michael said. 'So I will represent his place for having him killed. Now you all shall point your guns at your own heads and trigger it'

'Now Michael, we can have a more peaceful decision' Willie said.

'Is that you call peaceful?!' Michael exclaimed, pointing at the dead bodies. If I wasn't mad right now, I would say he was rude but I can't deny that I'm siding with him on this. But I admit, there can be a rightful punishment for them instead of forced suicide.

'Michael, listen to me and I say we shall deal this the right way' Willie said. Michael was furious. I could read his expression full of desire for vengeance.

'Fine' Michael said reluctantly, throwing the knife on the ground. He began to walk out of the auditorium.

'You'll have to clean that knife' Willie said.

Michael turned around again lazily and picked up the knife and then turned back again.

'Thank you Michael' Willie said. He did not say this out loud but because of the silence, his words could be heard.

'Malcolm, take their guns away' Willie said. Tazanna's dad listened to the command. Alright, I know his name now. By this time all of us survivors were already coming out of our hiding place.

'You know we just declared a massive war on James by Anton being dead?' Malcolm said.

'I know. That's why I need you to do what we have planned earlier. No one out of the team should know about this' Willie replied. I got a feeling that whatever they were talking about is definitely exciting. And I was curious to find out. But first, I was finding my brother and the rest. Fayre and Tazanna came out of hiding safely with a group of old men and women. Norman's grandmother was one of them. Speaking of Norman, he was all over his dad's body, crying. I'll join him later. Not that I don't care, I feel like crying as well but I need to find my own blood first when we are obviously in the same room.

'Help, he needs help!' Mrs Sky's voice suddenly shouted from behind fallen tables and chairs. I ran to see what's going on. And to my dismay, she was holding a boy in her arms, his left shoulder was bleeding. Dane was beside her, frantically covering his ears but safe . I dropped on the floor in front of Mrs Sky. I looked at the bleeding boy with heavy tears ready to flow out. He was still alive but only for a matter of time. He was dying. Zayne was dying.